Telecommunications Keeping in Touch with the World
Cell phones‐ Plan to get a cell phone immediately (very few people have landlines). Go to the Mall of the Emirates. 1) Buy a phone 2) Get a SIM card
Carrefour and Jumbo Electronics are good places to buy a phone in MOE. Dual band will only work in the UAE, but is cheap. Triband phones are slightly more expensive, but you can use them back home.Quadband can be used anywhere in the world, especially helpful if you want to use the phone in Asia. To get a mobile phone you need photo ID; bring photo copies of your passport (possibly other ID will work). There is a photocopy place across from Carrefour but I believe Jumbo will make the copies for you. It will be easiest if you just bring several photocopies of your passport with you to Dubai.
Depending on the shop, you will probably be able to get a SIM card at the shop, though they will promote one provider. Axiom may be the easiest as you can get a phone and either SIM brand in one shop. You can also go directly to Du or Etisalat and set up your SIM.
Telephones - Land lines To connect landlines and Internet, specific documentation will be required. Most of this will be provided by the school in a package you receive on arrival. Much of this cannot be completed until your residency VISA is completed (which may take 6 months). Depending on where you live there are two service providers: 1. Du– there is a Du counter at Mall of the Emirates. Bills can be paid here as well as you are able to sign up for Internet, phone connection and TV cable use. Cell phone recharge cards are easily available at phone shops, supermarkets and Du counters and branches. 2. Etisalat– there is an Etisalat counter at MOE. Cell phone recharge cards can be bought at Etisalat counters and branches as well as most supermarkets and gas stations. 3. Magic Jack – a computer attachment and system which allows you to call from Dubai using a number based in your home area. i.e. I have a number in Virginia which I use to call my Father and older children in Virginia. I am charged Virginia local rates. Look it up on line.
Internet See above for telephone landline connections. Many areas of the school are wireless as are most Starbucks cafes in Dubai. Many shopping malls have wifi. You can get a pre-paid SIM card for your mobile device (phone, iPad, etc) through one of the telecommunications companies listed above. Skype, etc. Yes, you can use internet-based video conferencing in Dubai, such as Skype, Gmail video chat, etc.
Home Computers Hotspot Shield is free software that allows you to secure your connection while searching wifi and also allows you to download from website not usually available from outside the U.S. Skype is a great way to keep in touch so you might want to download it/set up an account (and showfamily members how to use it) before you come to Dubai. Skype may not be usable in some buildings.Be sure to download Skype and Hotspot Shield before leaving for Dubai as the sites are blocked in the UAE: [[file:/C:\Documents and Settings\emorris\My Documents\School Documents\New Overseas Hires Booklet\www.hotspotshield.com|www.hotspotshield.com]];[[file:/C:\Documents and Settings\emorris\My Documents\School Documents\New Overseas Hires Booklet\www.skype.com|www.skype.com]] Both Al Adiyat and Rabwah (apartment buildings across from the school) are maintained by Etisalat so they are the only Internet provider you can use there. It is really straight forward to get set up. Make sure that you have the letter of no objection from DAA, a copy of your passport’s details and UAE visa pages with a school stamp, and the form from Etisalat for applying for Internet which you can get and complete down at the Etisalat desk in MOE. The form will ask you for a landline telephone number in the building. Just ask at the security desk for their office number. Once you have filled in all the details take the form to the Etisalat service desk in the Mall of the Emirates on the ground floor by Ski Dubai, inVirgin Records and also in Carrefour. They will register you on the spot if you have everything in order and someone will call you within 48 hours usually to come to your apartment and set your modem up. TheDubai Red‐Tape book does detail what you need as does the form from Etisalat. To save repeated trips to the Mall make sure you have everything you need to register.
Television Most people buy their TV and DVD players locally as they are readily available and reasonably priced. Some people prefer to ship their own TV and DVD players. Make sure they will work with 220V and the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) System. Local channels are available. TV series and new release movies are available and you can download your favorite programs via ITunes and Torrents. Digital satellite receiver – for approximately 300 dhs you can buy a satellite “free to air” receiver and get 200 channels and only pay once. Check with your building to be sure the satellite is allowed. Cable is designed for an international audience, so many of the channels are not in English, but you can get a broad variety on the English channels (news, movies, tv series, etc.). Orbit/Showtime: older programming with some new movies. You can signup at MOE at the Orbit/Showtime counter. Expect to pay up to $80 US a month depending on the package you want.
Snail Mail/Post It is advisable to use the school address for your mail. If you have a common name, you may want to include your division, as sometimes mail will get routed to the wrong part of the campus.
If you use regular post you have to drive to the main post office in Karama to pick up packages.
Shop and Ship - You can sign up for a US postal address via Aramex that will then forward any mail or online purchases in North America to you in Dubai. There is a one time sign up fee and each shipment cost is determined by weight. MyUS.com - Another company that will give you a US postal address and ship via FedEx.
Keeping in Touch with the World
Cell phones‐
Plan to get a cell phone immediately (very few people have landlines).
Go to the Mall of the Emirates.
1) Buy a phone
2) Get a SIM card
Carrefour and Jumbo Electronics are good places to buy a phone in MOE. Dual band will only work in the UAE, but is cheap. Triband phones are slightly more expensive, but you can use them back home. Quadband can be used anywhere in the world, especially helpful if you want to use the phone in Asia. To get a mobile phone you need photo ID; bring photo copies of your passport (possibly other ID will work). There is a photocopy place across from Carrefour but I believe Jumbo will make the copies for you. It will be easiest if you just bring several photocopies of your passport with you to Dubai.
Depending on the shop, you will probably be able to get a SIM card at the shop, though they will promote one provider. Axiom may be the easiest as you can get a phone and either SIM brand in one shop. You can also go directly to Du or Etisalat and set up your SIM.
Telephones - Land lines
To connect landlines and Internet, specific documentation will be required. Most of this will be provided by the school in a package you receive on arrival. Much of this cannot be completed until your residency VISA is completed (which may take 6 months). Depending on where you live there are two service providers:
1. Du – there is a Du counter at Mall of the Emirates. Bills can be paid here as well as you are able to sign up for Internet, phone connection and TV cable use. Cell
phone recharge cards are easily available at phone shops, supermarkets and Du counters and branches.
2. Etisalat – there is an Etisalat counter at MOE. Cell phone recharge cards can be bought at Etisalat counters and branches as well as most supermarkets and gas stations.
3. Magic Jack – a computer attachment and system which allows you to call from Dubai using a number based in your home area. i.e. I have a number in Virginia which I use to call my Father and older children in Virginia. I am charged Virginia local rates. Look it up on line.
Internet
See above for telephone landline connections.
Many areas of the school are wireless as are most Starbucks cafes in Dubai. Many shopping malls have wifi.
You can get a pre-paid SIM card for your mobile device (phone, iPad, etc) through one of the telecommunications companies listed above.
Skype, etc.
Yes, you can use internet-based video conferencing in Dubai, such as Skype, Gmail video chat, etc.
Home Computers
Hotspot Shield is free software that allows you to secure your connection while searching wifi and also allows you to download from website not usually available from outside the U.S. Skype is a great way to keep in touch so you might want to download it/set up an account (and show family members how to use it) before you come to Dubai. Skype may not be usable in some buildings.Be sure to download Skype and Hotspot Shield before leaving for Dubai as the sites are blocked in the UAE: [[file:/C:\Documents and Settings\emorris\My Documents\School Documents\New Overseas Hires Booklet\www.hotspotshield.com|www.hotspotshield.com]]; [[file:/C:\Documents and Settings\emorris\My Documents\School Documents\New Overseas Hires Booklet\www.skype.com|www.skype.com]]
Both Al Adiyat and Rabwah (apartment buildings across from the school) are maintained by Etisalat so they are the only Internet provider you can use there. It is really straight forward to get set up. Make sure that you have the letter of no objection from DAA, a copy of your passport’s details and UAE visa pages with a school stamp, and the form from Etisalat for applying for Internet which you can get and complete down at the Etisalat desk in MOE. The form will ask you for a landline telephone number in the building. Just ask at the security desk for their office number. Once you have filled in all the details take the form to the Etisalat service desk in the Mall of the Emirates on the ground floor by Ski Dubai, inVirgin Records and also in Carrefour. They will register you on the spot if you have everything in order and someone will call you within 48 hours usually to come to your apartment and set your modem up. TheDubai Red‐Tape book does detail what you need as does the form from Etisalat. To save repeated trips to the Mall make sure you have everything you need to register.
Television
Most people buy their TV and DVD players locally as they are readily available and reasonably priced. Some people prefer to ship their own TV and DVD players. Make sure they will work with 220V and the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) System. Local channels are available. TV series and new release movies are available and you can download your favorite programs via ITunes and Torrents.
Digital satellite receiver – for approximately 300 dhs you can buy a satellite “free to air” receiver and get 200 channels and only pay once. Check with your building to be sure the satellite is allowed. Cable is designed for an international audience, so many of the channels are not in English, but you can get a broad variety on the English channels (news, movies, tv series, etc.).
Orbit/Showtime: older programming with some new movies. You can signup at MOE at the Orbit/Showtime counter. Expect to pay up to $80 US a month depending on the package you want.
Snail Mail/Post
It is advisable to use the school address for your mail. If you have a common name, you may want to include your division, as sometimes mail will get routed to the wrong part of the campus.
If you use regular post you have to drive to the main post office in Karama to pick up packages.
Shop and Ship - You can sign up for a US postal address via Aramex that will then forward any mail or online purchases in North America to you in Dubai. There is a one time sign up fee and each shipment cost is determined by weight.
MyUS.com - Another company that will give you a US postal address and ship via FedEx.